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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



®^Hp* ©0pijn5|t !f a. 

Slielf_t.{3-3J^6> 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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" WE TWO TOOK POSSESSION OF THE STAIRS." 

-Pag.' 8. 



Collcctio?i of " ^Masterpieces " 
GEORGE A. BAKER 

Selections from 

Point Lace and 
Diamonds 

With HHincrous original illustrations by 
MOORE SMITH 

rsr- - ■■■■ 



ti'}^yo--i^ 



NEW YORK 

FredericKvA. Stokes Company 

publishers 



VN-^ ^W 



r^ 






Copyy-ighted in 1875 /y 

i^. i>. Patterson 

Copyright, 1886, /'/ 

//7;/V6-, Stokes &f Alien 

CopyrigJit, 1894, by 
edericic A. Stokes Company 



Contents. 



Page 
An Idyl of the Period, ... 7 
A Piece of Advice, ... 12 

After the German, . . . .16 
A Rosebud in Lent, ... 19 

Fishing, 21 

Frost-Bitten, 26 

Christmas Greens, . . . .29 
Chinese Lanterns, .... 35 
Thoughts on the Command- 
ments 39 

Old Photographs, .... 42 
Marriage a la Mode. A Tril- 
ogy, 45 

Easter Morning, . . . . 6.:i 

A Song, 69 

A Legend of St. Valentine, . 72 
Matinal Musings, . . . .77 



The M(rrHERs ( 

Lake Mahmi'ac 

Auto-ua-Fe, 

Chi\'alkie, 

Per Aspera ad Astra 





Page 


JF THE Sirens, 


84 


—Saturday Nigh 


, . 88 




94 



SELECTIONS FROM 

'' Point Lace and 
Diamonds." 



AX IDYL OF THE PERIOD. 

/// Tii'o Parts. 

I' ART ONE. 

"Come right in. How are you, 
Fred ? 

Find a chair, and get a light.'' 
" Well, old man, recovered yet 

From the Mather's jam last 
night ? " 
" Didn't dance. The German's old," 

" Didn't you.'' I had to lead — 
Awful l)ore ! Did you go home.'' "' 

" No. Sat out with Molly Meade. 



8 FROM '• POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

Jolly little girl she is — 

Said she didn't care to dance, 
'D rather sit and talk to me — 

Then she gave me such a glance ! 
So, when you had cleared the room, 

And impounded all tlie chairs, 
Having nowhere else, we two 

Took possession of the stairs. 
I was on the lower step, 

Molly, on. the next above. 
Gave me her bouquet to hold, 

Asked me to undo her glove. 
Then, of course, I squeezed her 
hand, 

Talked about my wasted life; 
' Ah ! if I could only win 

Some true woman for my wife. 
How I'd love her — work for her ! 

Hand in hand through life we'd 
walk — 
No one ever cared for me — ' 

Takes a girl — that kind of talk. 
Then, vou know, I used my eyes — 

She believed me, every word — 



AN IDVL OF THE I'EKIOD. 9 

Said I ' mustn't talk so' — Jove ! 

Such a voice you never heard. 
Gave me some symbolic flower, — 

' Had a meaning, oh, so sweet,' — 
Don't know where it is, I'm sure ; 

Must have dropped it in the street. 
How I spooned! — And she — ha! 
ha !— 

Well, I know it wasn't right — 
But she pitied me so much 

That I — kissed her — pass a 
light." 

PART TWO. 

" Molly Meade, well, I declare ! 

Who'd have thought of seeing 
you, 
After what occurred last night, 

Out here on the Avenue ! 
Oh, you awful ! awful girl ! 

There, don't blush, I saw it all." 
"Saw all what.!"' "Ahem! last 
night — 

At the Mather's — in the hall." 



lO FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

"Oh, you huriid — where were you ? 

Wasn't he the Ijiggest goose! 
Most men must be caught, but he 

Ran his own neck in the noose. 
I was almost dead to dance, 

I'd have done it if I could, 
Ikit old Grey said I must sto]3, 

And I promised Ma I would. 
So I looked up sweet, and said 

That I'd rather talk to him ; 
Hope he didn't see me laugh, 

Luckily the lights were dim. 
My, how he <//<•/ squeeze my hand 

And he looked up in mv face 
With his lovely big brown eyes — 

Really, it's a dreadful case. 
* Earnest ! ' — I should think he was ! 

Why, I thought I'd have to laugh 
When he kissed a flower he took, 

Looking, oh ! like such a calf. 
I suppose he's got it now, 

In a wine-glass on his shelves; 
It's a mvstery to me 

Whv men Ti'/// deceive themselves. 



AN IDYL OF THE PERIOD. 1 

* Saw him kiss me ! ' — Oh, \o\. 
wi'ctch ; 

Well, he begged so hard for one— 
And I thought there'd no ont 
know — 

So I — let him, just for fun. 
I know it really wasn't right 

To trifle with his feelings, daar. 
JUit men (nr such stuck-uj:) things ; 

He'll recover — never fear." 



12 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 



A PIECE OF ADVICE. 

So you're going to give up flirtation, 
my dear, 
And lead a life sober and quiet ? 
There, there, I don't doubt the 
intention's sincere, 
But wait till occasion shall try it. — 
Is Ramsay engaged ? 
Now, don't look enraged! 
You like him, I know — don't deny 
it! 

What ! Give up flirtation ? Change 
dimples for frowns ? 
\Vhy, Nell, what's the use ? 
You're so pretty. 
That your beauty all sense of your 
wickedness drowns. 
When, some time, in country or 
citv, 



A I'lECE OK ADVICE. 

Your fate comes at last, 
We'll forgive all the past, 




VOUR BEAUTY ALL SENSE OF YOUR 
WICKEDNESS DROWNS." 



And think of you only with pity. 

Indeed ! — so "you feel for the woes 
of niv sex ! " 



14 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

"The legions of hearts you've 
been breaking 
Your conscience affright, and your 
reckoning perplex 
Whene'er an account you've been 
taking ! " 
" I'd scarcely believe 
How deeply you grieve 
At the mischief your eyes have 
been making ! " 

Now, Nellie! — Flirtation's the 
leaven of life ; 
It lightens its doughy compact- 
ness. 
Don't always — the world with decep- 
tion is rife — 
Construe what men say with exact- 
ness ! 
I pity the girl, 
In society's whirl, 
Who's troubled with matter-of- 
factness. 



A PIECE OF ADVICE. 15 

A pink is a beautiful flower in its 
way, 
But rosebuds and violets are 
charming, 
Men don't wear the same boutoiiuicre 
every day, 
Taste changes, — Flirtation alarm- 
ing ! 
If e'er we complain, 
Vou then mav refrain, 
Vour eyes of their arrows disarm- 
ing. 

Ah, Nellie, be sensible. Pr'ythee, 
give heed 
To counsel a victim advances ; 
Vour eyes, I acknowledge, will make 
our hearts bleed, 
Pierced through by love's magical 
lances. 
But better that fate 
Than in darkness to wait. 
Unsought by your mischievcii •. 
glances. 



l6 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 



AFTER THE GERMAN. 

A SOPHOMORE SOLILOQUY. 

Blackboard, with ruler and rub- 
ber before me, 
Chalk loosely held in my hand. 
Sun-gilded motes in the air all 
around me, 
Listlessly dreaming I stand. 

What do I care for the problem 
I've written 
In characters gracefully slight, 
As the festal-robed beauties whose 
fairy feet flitted 
Through the maze of the German 
last night ! 

What do I care for the lever of 
friction. 
For sine, or co-ordinate plane 



AFTER THE GERMAN. 



When fairy mu- 
sicians are 
playing the 
" Mabel," 
And waltzes 
each nerve 
in my brain! 

On my coat's 
povvde r e d 
chalk, not 
the dust of 
the dia- 
mond 
That only 
last night 
sp a r k 1 e d 
there. 

By the galop's 

wild whirl 

s h o w e r'd 

down on 

my shoulder 

From turbulent tresses of hair. 




WHAT DO I CARE 
FOR THE LEVER OF 

FRICTION." 



l6 FKO.M POIXT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

In my ear is the clatter of chalk 
against blackboard, 
Not music's voluptuous swell ; 
Alas ! this is life, — so pass mortal 
pleasures, 
•And, — thank goodness, there goes 
the bell ! 



A KOSEHUD IN LENT. 



A ROSEBUD IN LENT. 

You saw her last, the ball-room's 
belle, 
A souffle^ lace and roses blent ; 
Your worldly worship moved her 
then ; 
She does not know you now, in 
Lent. 

See her at prayer I Her pleading 

hands 

Bear not one gem of all her store. 

Her face is saint-like. Be rebuked 

By those pure eyes, and gaze no 

more. 

Turn, turn away ! But carry hence 
The lesson she has dumbly 
taught — 



20 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 




HER FACE IS SAINT-LIKE 



That bright young creature kneel- 
ing there 
With every feeling, every thought 

Absorbed in high and holy dreams 
Of — new Spring dresses, truth to 
say 
To them the time is sanctified 

From Shrove-tide until Easter 
day. 



FISHING. 

*' Harry, where have you been all 
morning ? " 
" Down at the pool in the meadow- 
brook." 
" Fishing ? " " Yes, but the trout 
were wary, 
Couldn't induce them to take a 
hook." 
*' Why, look at your coat ! You 
must have fallen. 
Your back's just covered with 
leaves and moss." 
How he laughs ! Good-natured 
fellow ! 
Fisherman's luck makes most 
men cross. 

" Nellie, the Wrights have called. 
Where were you ? " 



22 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. ' 

"Under the tree, by the meadow- 
brook, 
Reading, and oh, it was too lovely ; 
I never saw such a charming 
boolc." 
The charming book must have 
pleased her, truly, 
There's a happy light in her 
bright young eyes. 
And she hugs the cat with unusual 
fervor 
To staid old Tabby's intense sur- 
prise. 

Reading? yes, but not from a novel. 
Fishing ! truly, but not with a 
rod. 
The line is idle, the book neglected — 
The water-grasses whisper and 
nod. 
The fisherman bold and the earnest 
reader 
Sit talking — of what ? Perhaps 
the weather. 



< 

k 







THE FISHERMAN BOLD AND THE EARNEST 
HEADER." 



2^ FROM "point lace AND DIAMONDS.'" 

Perha])s — no matter — whate'er the 
subject, 
It brings them remarkably close 
together. 

It causes his words to be softly 
spoken, 
With many a lingering pause 
between, 
The while the sunbeams chase the 
shadows 
Over the mosses, gray and green. 
Blushes are needful for its discus- 
sion, 
And soft, shy glances from down- 
cast eyes, 
In whose blue depths are lying 
hidden 
Loving gladness, and sweet sur- 
prise. 

Trinity Chapel is gay this evening, 
Filled with beauty, and flowers, 
and light, 



A captive fisherman stands at the 
altar, 
With Nellie beside him all in 
white. 
The ring is on, the vows are spoken, 
And smiling friends, good for- 
tune wishing, 
Tell him his is the fairest prize 
Ever brought from a morning's 
fishing. 



26 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS.' 



FROST-BITTEN 

We were driv- 
ing home 
from the 
•* " P a t r i- 

archs ' " — 
Moll y L e- 
fevre and 
I , V o u 
— know; 

The white 
flakes flut- 
tered about our lamps; 
Our wheels were hushed in the 
sleeping snow. 

Her white arms nestled amid her 
furs ; 
Her hands half-held, with languid 
grace, 




FKOST-GITTEN. 27 

Her fading roses ; fair to see 

Was the dreamy look in hei 
sweet, young face. 

I watched her, saying never a word, 
For I would not waken those 
dreaming eyes. 
The breath of the roses filled the 
air, 
And my thoughts were many, and 
far from wise. 

At last I said to her, bending near, 
"Ah, Molly Lefevre, how sweet 
'twould be 
To ride on dreaming, all our lives, 
Alone with the roses — you and 
me." 

Her sweet lips faltered, her sweet 
eyes fell, 
And, low as the voice of a Sum- 
mer rill. 



28 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. ' 

Her answer came. It was — " Yes, 
perhaps — 
But who would settle our carriage 
bill.?" 

The dying roses breathed their last, 

Our wheels rolled loud on the 

stones just then, 

Where the snow had drifted ; the 

subject dropped. 

It has never been taken up again. 



CHRISTMAS GKEENS. 



CHRISTMAS GREENS. 

Oh, Lowbury pastor is fair and 

young, 
By far too good for a single life, 
And many a maiden, saith gossip's 

tongue, 
Would fain be Lowbury pastor's 

wife : 
So his book-marks are 'broidered in 

crimson and gold. 
And his slippers are, really, a " sight 

to behold." 

That's Lowbury pastor sitting there 
On the cedar boughs by the chan- 
cel rails ; 
His face is clouded with carking 
care, 
For it's nearly five, the daylight 
fails — 



30 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

The church is silent, — the "ii'ls all 




J^^> 













And the Christmas wreaths not 
nearly done. 

Two tiny boots crunch-crunch the 
snow. 



CHRISTMAS GKEENS 



They saucily stamp at the tiaii- 
sept door, 
And then up to the pillared aisle 
they go 
Pit-pat, click-clack, on the marble 
floor — 
A lady fair doth that pastor see. 
And he saith, " Oh, bother, it isn't 
she ! " 

A lady in seal-skin — eyes of blue, 
And tangled tresses of snow- 
flecked gold — 

She speaks, " Good gracious ! can 
this be you, 
Sitting alone in the dark and 
cold ? 

The rest all gone! Why it wasn't 
right ; 

These texts will never be done to- 
night." 

She sits her down at her pastor's 
feet. 



32 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

And, wreathing evergreen, weaves 

her wiles, 
Heart-piercing glances bright and 

fleet, 
Soft little sighs, and shy little 

smiles ; 
But the pastor is solemnly sulky 

and glum, 
And thinketh it strange that " she " 

doesn't come. n 

Then she tells him earnestly, soft 

and low, 
How she'd do her part in this 

world of strife, 
And humbly look to him to know 
The ])ath that her feet should 

tread through life — 
Her jiastor yawneth behind his hat. 
And wondereth what she is driving 

at. 

Crunch-crunch again on the snow 

outside : 



CHRISTMAS GREEN'S. 33 

The pastor riseth unto his feet, 
The vestry door is opened wide, 
A dark-eyed maid doth the pas- 
tor greet ; 
And that lady fair can see and hear 
Her pastor kiss her, and call her 
" dear." 

" Why, Maud ! " " Why, Nelly ! " 
those damsels cry ; 
But lo, what troubles that lady 
fair ? 

On Nelly's finger there meets her 
eye 
The glow of a diamond solitaire, 

And she thinks, as she sees the glit- 
tering ring, 

*' And so she's got him — the hateful 
thing ! " 

There sit they all 'neath the Christ- 
mas-tree, 
For Maud is determmed that she 
won't go ; 



34 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. ' 

The pastor is cross as a man can be, 
And Nelly would like to pinch 

her so ; 
And they go on wreathing the text 

again — 
It is " Peace on earth and good-will 

towards men." 



CHINESE LANTERNS. 



CHINESE LANTERNS. 

Through the windows on the park 
Float the waltzes, weirdly sweet; 
In the light, and in the dark, 

Rings the chime of dancing feet. 
Mid the branches, all a-row, 
Fiery jewels gleam and glow ; 
Dreamingly we walk beneath, — 
Ah, so slow ! 

All the air is full of love ; 

Misty shadows wrap us round ; 
Light below and dark above, 

Filled with softly-surging sound. 
See the forehead of the Night 
Garlanded with flowers of light, 
And her goblet crowned with 
wine. 
Golden bright. 



CHINESE LANTEKNS. 



Ah ! those deep, alluring eyes, 

Quiet as a haunted lake ; 
In their depths the passion lies 
Half in slumber, half awake. 
Lay thy warm, white hand in 

mine. 
Let the fingers clasp and twine, 
While my eager, panting heart 
Beats 'gainst thine. 

Bring thy velvet lijDS a-near, 

Mine are hungry for a kiss. 
Gladly will I sate them, dear ; 
Closer, closer, — this, — and this. 
On thy lips love's seal I lay, 
Nevermore to pass away ; — 
That was all last night, you know, 
But to-day 

Chinese lanterns hung in strings, 
Painted paper, penny dips, — 

Filled with roasted moths and 
things, 
Greasy with the tallow drips, 



30 FROiM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

Wet and torn, with rusty wire, 
Blackened by the dying fire ; 
Withered flowers, trampled deep 
In the mire. 

Chinese lanterns, Bernstein's band, 

Belladonna, lily white, 
These made up the fairy-land 

Where I wandered all last night ; 
Ruled in all its rosy glow 
By a merry Queen, you know. 
Jolly, dancing, laughing, witching, 
Veuve Cliquot. 




THOl-GHTS ON THE COMMANDMENTS. 



THOUGHTS ON THE COM- 
MANDMENTS. 

" Love your neighbor as your- 
self,"— 

So the i^arson preaches ; 
That's one-half the Decalogue, — 

So the Prayer-book teaches. 
Half my duty I can do 

With but little labor, 
For with all my heart and soul 

I do love my neighbor. 

Mighty little credit, that. 

To my self-denial ; 
Not to love her, though, might be 

Something of a trial. 
Why, the rosy light, that ])eeps 

Through the glass above her, 
Lingers round her lips : — you see 

E'en the sunbeams love her. 



F* 



.^ 



\ 



4 \ 




THOUGHTS ON THE CO.M.M ANDM H.\n>.. 41 

So to make my merit more 

I'll go beyond the letter ; 
Love '.nv neighbor as myself? 

Yes, and ten times I>etter. 
For she's sweeter than the breath 

Of the Spring, that passes 
Through the fragrant, budding 
woods, 

O'er the meadow-grasses. 

And I've preached the word I know. 

For it was my duty 
To convert the stubborn heart 

Of the little beauty. 
Once again success has crowned 

Missionary labor, 
For her sweet eyes own that she 

Also loves her neighbor. 



42 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 



OLD PHOTOGRAPHS. 

Old lady, put your glasses on, 
With polished lenses, mounting 
golden, 

And once again look slowly through 
The album olden. 




w 



HOW THE OLD PORTRAITS TAKE YOU 



OLD I'HOTOGKAI'HS. 43 

How the old portraits take you back 
To friends who once would 'round 
you gather — 

All scattered now, like frosted leaves 
In blustering weather. 

^Vhy, who is this, the bright co- 
quette ? 
Her eyes with Love's bright ar- 
rows laden — 
*' Poor Nell, she's living single yet, — 
An ancient maiden." 

And this, the fragile poetess ? 

Whose high soul-yearnings nought 
can smother — 
*' She's stouter far than I am now, 

A kind grandmother." 

Who is this girl with flowing curls. 
Who on the golden future muses ? 

" What splendid hair she had ! — and 
now 
A ' front ' she uses." 



44 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

And this ? " Why, if it's not my 
own ; 
And did I really e'er resemble 
That bright young creature ? Take 
the book — 
My old hands tremble. 

" It seems that only yesterday 

We all were young; ah, how time 
passes ! " 

Old lady, put the album down. 
And wipe your glasses. 



MAKKIAGE A LA MODE. 



MARRIAGE A LA MODE. 

A Trilogy. 

I. 

love's young dream. — A.D. iSSo. 

"Thank you — much obliged, old 
boy, 

Yes, it's so ; report says true, 
I'm engaged to Nell Latine — 

What else could a fellow do ? 
Governor was getting fierce ; 

Asked me, with paternal frown, 
When I meant to go to work, 

Take a wife, and settle down. 
Stormed at my extravagance, 

Talked of cutting off supplies — 
Fairly bullied me, you know — 

Sort of thing that I despise. 
Well, you see, I lost worst way 

At the races — Governor raged — 



46 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

So, to try and smooth him down, 

I went off, and got engaged. 
Sort of put-up job, you know — 

All arranged with old Latine — 
Nellie raved about it first, 

Said her ' pa was awful mean ! ' 
Now it's done we don't much 
mind — 

Tell the truth, I'm rather glad ; 
Looking at it every way, 

One must own it isn't bad. 
She's good-looking, rather rich, — 

Mother left her quite a pile ; 
Dances, goes out everywhere ; 

Fine old family, real good style. 
Then she's good, as girls go now, 

Some idea of wrong and right, 
Don't let every man she meets 

Kiss her, on the self-same night. 
We don't do affection much, 

Nell and I are real good friends, 
Call there often, sit and chat. 

Take her 'round, and there it 
ends. 



IMAKRIAGE A LA MODE. 47 

Spooning ! Well, I tried it once — 

Acted like an awful calf — 
Said I really loved her. Gad ! 

You should just have heard her 
laugh. 
Why, she ran nie for a month. 

Teased me till she made me wince; 
' Mustn't flirt with her,' she said, 

So I haven't tried it since. 
'Twould be pleasant to be loved 

Like you read about in books — 
Mingling souls, and tender eyes — 

Love, and that, in all their looks ; 
Thoughts of you, and no one else ; 

Voice that has a tender ring, 
Sacrifices made, and — well — 

You know — all that sort of thing. 
That's all worn-out talk, they say, 

Don't see any of it now — 
Spooning on yonx Jzanced 

Isn't good style, anyhow. 
Just suppose that one of us, — 

Nell and me, you know — some 
dav 



40 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

Got like that on some one else — 

Might be rather awkward — eh ! 
All in earnest, like the books — 

Wouldn't it be awful rough ! 
Jove ! if I — but pshaw, what bosh ! 

Nell and I are safe enough. — 
Some time in the Spring, I think; 

Be on hand to wish us joy ? 
Be a groomsman, if you like — 

Lots of wine — good-bye, old boy." 

II. 

UP THE AISLE. — A. D. 1881. 

" Take my cloak — and now fix my 
veil, Jenny, — 
How silly to cover one's face ! 
I might as well be an old woman. 
But then there's one comfort — it's 
lace. 
Well, what has become of those 
ushers ? — 
Oh, Pa, have you got my bou- 
quet ? 



MARRIAGE A LA MODI 



I'll freeze standing here in the 
lobby, 
Why doesn't the organist play '' 
They've started at last — what a bus- 
tle ! 
Stop, Pa ! — they're not far enough 
— wait ! 
One minute more — now! Do keep 
step, Pa ! 
There, drop my trail, Jane ! — is it 
straight ? 
I hope I look timid, and shrink- 
ing! 
The church must be perfectly 
full— 
Good gracious, please don't walk so 
fast, Pa ! 
He don't seem to think that trains 
pull. 
The chancel at last — mind the step, 
Pa!— 
I don't feel embarrassed at all — 
But, my! What's the minister say- 



50 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

Oh, I know, that part 'bout Saint 
Paul. 
I hope my position is graceful — 

How awkwardly Nelly Dane stood! 
' Not lawfully be joined together, 
Now speak ' — as if any one 
would. 
Oh, dear, now it's my turn to 
answer — 
I do wish that Pa would stand 
still. 
' Serve him, love, honor, and keep 
him ' 
How sweetly he says it — I will. 
Where's Pa ? — there, I knew he'd 
forget it 
When the time came to give me 
away — 
' I, Helena, take thee — love — cher- 
ish — 
And ' — well, I can't help it, — 
' obey.' 
Here, Maud, take my bouquet — 
don't drop it — 




HELENA, TAKE THEE — LOVE — CHER- 
ISH — and' — WELL, I can't HELP 
IT, — 'obey.' " 



52 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

I hope Charley's not lost the 
ring ! 
Just like liim ! — no — goodness, how 
heavy ! 
It's really an elegant thing. 
It's a shame to kneel down in white 
satin — 
And the flounce real old lace — but 
I must — 
I hope that they've got a clean 
cushion, 
They're usually covered with 
dust. 
All over — ah, thanks! — now, don't 
fuss. Pa !— 
Just throw back my veil, Charley 
— there ! 
Oh, bother! Why couldn't he kiss 
me 
Without mussing up all my hair ! 
Your arm, Charley, there goes the 
organ — 
Who'd think there would be such 
a crowd ! 



MARKIAGE A LA MODE. 53 

Oh, I mustn't look round, I'd for- 
gotten, — 
See, Charley, who was it that 
bowed ? 
Why— it's Nellie Allaire, with her 
husband — 
She's awfully jealous, I know ; 
Most all of my things were im- 
ported, 
And she had a home-made trous- 
seau. 
And there's Annie Wheeler — Kate 
Hermon — 
I didn't expect her at all — 
If she's not in that same old blue 
satin 
She wore at the Charity Ball ! 
Is that Fanny Wade ? — Edith Pom- 
meton — 
And Emma, and Jo — all the girls ! 
I knew they'd not miss my wed- 
ding— 
I hope they'll all notice my 
pearls. 



54 FROM " I'OINl' ^ACE AND DIAMONDS." 

Is the carriage there ? — give me my 

cloak, Jane, 

Don't get it all over my veil — 

No ! you take the other seat, 

Charley — 

I need all of this for my trail." 

III. 

DIVORCE. — A. D. lSS6. 

The Cbib Windcnv. 

*' Yes, I saw her pass with ' that 
scoundrel ' — 
For heaven's sake, old man, keep 
cool ! 
No end of the fellows are watch- 
ing— 
Go easy, don't act like a fool ! 
* Parading jjw/r shame!' — I don't 
see it. 
It's Juts now, alone ; for at last 
You drove her to give you good 
reason. 



MARRIAGE A LA MODE. 55 

Divorced her, and so it's all 
passed. 
¥or yoti, I mean; she has to bear it — 
Poor child — the reproach and the 
shame ; 
I'm your friend — but come, hang it, 
old fellow, 
I swear you were somewhat to 
blame. 
* What the deuce do I mean ? ' 
Well, I'll tell you, 
Though it's none of my business. 
Here ! 
Just light a cigar, and keep quiet — 
You started wrong, Charley 
Leclear. 
y^ow weren't in love when you 
married — 
' Nor she ! ' — well, I know, but 
she tried 
To keep it dark. You wouldn't let 
her. 
But laughed at her for it. Her 
pride 



56 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONLS." 

Wouldn't stand that, you know. 
Did you ever 
See a spirited girl in your life, 
Who would patiently pose to be 
pitied 
As a ' patient Griselda'-like wife 
When her husband neglects her so 
plainly 
As you did? — although, on the 
whole, 
When the wife is the culprit, I've 
noticed 
It's rather the favorite role. 
So she flirted a little — in public — 
She'd chances enough and to 
spare, 
Ah, then if you'd only turned jeal- 
ous — 
But you didn't notice nor care. 
Then her sickness came — even we 
fellows 
All thought you behaved like a 
scrub. 



MARRIAGE A LA MODE. 57 

Leaving her for the nurse to take 
care of, 
While you spent your time at the 
club. 
She never forgave you. How 
could she .'' 
If I'd been in her place myself, 
By Jove, I'd have left you. She 
didn't, 
But told all her woes to Jack 
Quel ph. 
When a girl's lost all love for her 
husband, 
And is cursed with a masculine 
friend 
To confide in, and he is a black- 
guard, 
She isn't far off from the end. 
Oh, I'm through — of course nobody 
blamed you 
In the end, when you got your 
divorce — 
You were right enough there — she'd 
levanted 



58 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

With Guelph, and you'd no other 
course. 
What I mean is, if you'd acted 
squarely, 
The row would have never 
occurred, 
And for jw/ to be doing the tragic 

Strikes me as a little absurd. 
As it stands, you've the best of the 
bargain, 
And she's got a good deal the 
worst ; 
Leave it there, and — just touch the 
bell, will you? 
You're nearest. I'm dying of 
thirst." 



IV. 

AT AFTERNOON TEA. 

" * In New York ! ' Yes, I met her 
this morning. 
I knew her in spite of her paint; 



MAKKIAGE A LA MODE. 59 

And Guelph, too, poor fellow, was 
with her ; 
I felt really nervous, and faint, 
When he bowed to me, looking so 
pleading — 
I cut him, of course. Wouldn't 
you ? 
If I meet him alone, I'll explain it ; 
But knowing her, what could I 
do? 
Poor fellow ! He looks sadly 
altered — 
I thmk it a sin, and a shame. 
The way he was wrecked by that 
creature ! 
I kiunu he was never to blame. 
He never suspected. He liked 
her — 
He'd known her for most of his 
life— 
And, of course, it zuas quite a 
temptation 
To run off with another man's 
wife. 



6o FROM "point lace AND DIAMONDS." 

At his age, you know — barely 
thirty — 
So romantic, and makes such a 
noise 
In one's club — why, one ca)i't but 
excuse him, 
Now can one, dear ? Boys will be 
boys. 
I've known him so long — why, he'd 
come here 
And talk to me just like a son. 
It's my duty — I feel as a mother — 
To save him ; the thing can be 
done 
Very easily. First, I must show him 
How grossly the woman deceived 
And entrapped him. — It made such 
a scandal 
You know, that he caji't be re- 
ceived 
At all, any more, till he drops her — 

He'll certainly not be so mad 
As to hold to her still. Oh, I know 
him 



MARKIAGE A LA MODE. 6l 

So well — I'm quite sure he'll be 
glad, 
On any excuse, to oblige me 

In a matter so trifling indeed. 
Then the way will be clear. We II 
receive him, 
And the rest will soon follow our 
lead. 
We must keep our eyes on him 
more closely 
Hereafter ; young men of his 
wealth 
And position are so sorely tempted 
To waste time, and fortune, and 
health 
In frivolous pleasures and pastimes, 
That there's but one safeguard m 
life 
For them and their money — we've 
seen it — 
A really nice girl for a wife. 
Too bad you've no daughter ! My 
Mamie 
Had influence with him for good 



62 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

Before this affair — when he comes 
here 
She'll meet him, I'm sure, as she 
should — 
That is, as if nothing had hap- 
pened — 
And greet him with sisterly joy ; 
Between us I know we can save him. 
I'll write him to-morrow, poor 
boy." 



EASTEK MORNING. 63 



EASTER MORNING. 

Too early, of course ! How pro- 
voking ! 
T told Ma just how it would be. 
I might as well have on a wrapper, 
For there isn't a soul here to 
see. 
There ! Sue Delaplaine's pew is 
empty, — 
I declare if it isn't too bad ! 
I know my suit cost more than hers 
did. 
And I wanted to see her look 
mad. 
I do think that sexton's too stupid — 
He's put some one else in our 
pew — 
And the girl's dress just kills mine 
completely ; 
Now what am I going to do ? 



€4 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 




The jDsalter, and Sue isn't here 
yet ! 
I don't care, I think it's a sin 
For people to get late to service, 
Just to make a great show com- 
ing in. 
Perhaps she is sick, and can't get 
here — 
She said she'd a headache last 
nic;ht. 



EASTKK AlOKNINc;. 65 

How mad she'll be after her fussing! 
1 declare, it would serve her just 
right. 
Oh, you've got here at last, my 
dear, have you ? 
Well, 1 don't think you need be 
so proud 
Of thai bjiinet, if Virot did make 
it ; 
It's horrid fast-lookini;' and hnid. 
What a dress ! — for a girl in her 
senses 
To go on ths street in light 
blue! — 
And those coat-sleeves — they wore 
them last Summer — 
Don't doubt, though, that sh 3 
thinks they're new. 
Mrs. Gray's polonaise was im- 
ported — 
So dreadful ! — a minister's wife, 
And thinking so much about fash- 
ion ! — 
A pretty exam^jle of life ! 



66 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

The altar's dressed sweetly. I 
woiuler 
Who sent those while flowers 
for the font ! — 
Some girl who's gone on the assist- 
ant — 
Don't donbt it was Itessie La- 
niont. 
Jnst look at her now, little hum- 
bug ! — 
So devout — I suppose she don't 
know 
That she's bending her head too 
far over, 
And the ends of her switches all 
sliow. 
What a sight Mrs. Ward is this 
morning ! 
That woman will kill me some 
day, 
With her horrible lilacs and crim- 
sons ; 
Why will these old things dress 
so gay .'' 



EASIKK MOKNING. 6/ 

And there's Jenny Welles witU 
Fred Tracy — 
She's engaged to him now — hor- 
rid thing! 
Dear nie ! I'd keep on my glove 
sometimes, 
If I did have a solitaire ring ! 
How can this girl next to me act 
so — 
The wav that she turns round and 
stares, 
And then makes lemarks about 
people ; 
She'd better be saying her pray- 
ers. 
Oh, dear, what a dreadful long 
sermon ! 
He must love to hear himself 
talk ! 
And it's after twelve now, — how 
])rovoking ! 
I wanted to have a nice walk. 
Through at last ! Well, it isn't so 
dreadful 



63 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 



After all, for we don't dine till 
one ; 
How can people say church is 
poky ! — 
So wicked ! — I think it's real fun. 



69 



A SONG. 

Spring-time is coining again, my 
dear; 
Sunshine and violets blue, you 
know ; 
Crocuses lifting their sleepy heads 

Out of their sheets of snow. 
And I know a blossom sweeter by 

far 
Than violets blue, or crocuses are. 

And bright as the sunbeam's glow. 
But how can I dare to look in her 
eyes, 
Colored with heaven's own hue ? 
That wouldn't do at all, my dear, 
It really wouldn't do. 

Her hair is a rippling, tossing sea ; 
In its golden depths the fairies 
play, 



yo FROM rOINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

Becki^niiig, dancing, mocking there, 

Luring mv lieart awav. 
And her nierrv lips are the ripest 
red 




' AND I KNOW A BLOSSOM SWEETEK BY FAR 
THAN VIOLETS BLCE, OK CROCUSES ARE." 



That ever addled a poor man's head, 

Or led his wits astray. 
What wouldn't I give to taste the 
sweets 
Of those rose-leaves wet with 
dew ! 



But that woukhrt do at all, my clear, 
It really wouldn't do. 

Her voice is gentle, and clear and 
pure ; 
It rings like the chime of a silve;- 
bell, 
And the thought it wakes in my 
foolish head 
I'm really afraid to tell. 
Her little feet kiss the ground below, 
And her hand is white as the whitest 
snow 
That e'er from heaven fell. 
But I wouldn't dare to take that 
hand, 
Reward for my love to sue ; 
That wouldn't do at all, my dear, 
It really wouldn't do 



72 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 



A LEGEND OF ST. VALEN- 
TINE. 

Come ! Why, halloa, that you, 
Jack ? 

How's the world been usiiig you ? 
Want your pipe .'' it's in the jar — 

Think I might be looking blue. 
ALaud's been breaking off with me; 

Fact — see here — Fvegot the ring. 
That's the note she sent it in ; 

Read it — soothing sort of thing. 
Jack, you know I write sometimes — 

Must have read some things of 
mine. 
Well, I thought Vd just send Maud 

Something for a valentine. 
So I ground some verses out 

In the softest kind of style, 
Full of love, and that, you know — 

Bothered me an awful while; 



A LEGEND OF SI". VALENTINE. 73 

Quite a Iieavy piece of work. 

So when I had got them done — 
Why I thought them much too good 

Just to waste that way on one. 
Jack, I told you, didn't I, 

All about that black-eyed girl 
Up in Stratford— last July— 

Oh ! you know ; you saw her curl ? 
Well, old fellow, she's the one 

That this row is all about, 
For I sent her — who'd have thought 

Maud would ever find it out — 
Those same verses, word for word — 

Hang it, man ! you needn't roar — 
'Splendid joke!" well, so I 
thought — 

No, don't think so any more. 
Yesterday, you know it rained, 

I'd been up late — at a ball — 
Didn't know what else to do — 

Went up and made Maud a call. 
Found some other girl there, too. 

They were playing a duet. 
" Fred, my cousin, Nelly Deane," — 




SPLENDID JOKE ! WELL, SO I THOUGHT- 
NO, DON't THINK SO ANY MOKE." 



A I.liGExND OF ST. VALENTIN K. 75 

^'cs, Jack, there was my brunette ; 
You should just have seen me, 
Jack- 

Now, old fellow, please don't 
laugh, 
T feel bad about it — fact — 

And I really can't stand chaff. 
Well, I tried to talk to Maud; 

There w-as Nell, though, sitting 
bv ; 
Every now and then she'd laugh, 

Sure I can't imagine why. 
]VIaud would read that beastly poem, 

Nell's eyes said in just one glance, 
*' Won't I make you pay for this, 

If I ever get the chance ! " 
Some one came and rang the bell — 

Just a note for Nell, bv post. 
Jack, I saw mv monogiam — 

I'd have rather seen a ghost. 
Yes — her verses — T suppose 

That her folks had sent them 
down — 
Couldii't get up there, vou know — 



76 FROM '• POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

Till she'd left and come to town 
N' elly looked them quickly through- 
Laughed — by Jove, I thought 
she'd choke ! 
" Maud — he'll kill me — dear ! oh, 
dear ! — 
Read that ; isn't it a joke ? " 
Maud glanced tlirough them — sank 
right down 
On the sofa — hid her face — 
" Crying ! " — not much — laughing, 
Jack— 
Don't think she's a hopeless case. 
I just grabbed my hat and left — 

Only wish I'd gone before. 
How they laughed ! — I heard them, 
Jack- 
Till I got outside the door. 
There, confession's done me good, 

I can never win her back. 
So I'll calmly let her slide — 

Pass the ash-cup, will you, Jack .'' 



MATIN AL MUSINGS 



MATINAL MUSINGS. 

Ten o'clock ! Well, I'm sure I can't 
help it ! 
I'm up — go away from the door ! 
Now, children, I'll speak to your 
mother 
If you pound there like that any 
more. 

How tired I do feel ! — Where's that 
cushion ? — 
I don't want to move from this 
chair ; 
I wish Marie'd make her appearance ; 
I really caiit do n.iy own hair. 

I wish I'd not danced quite so often — 
I knew I'd feel tired ! but it's hard 
To refuse a mae;nificent dancer 



78 FROM •' I'OINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

If you have a place left on your 
card 

I was silly to wear that green satin, 

It's a shame that I've spotted it 

so — 

All down the front breadth — it's just 

ruined — 

No trimming will hide that, I know. 

That's me ! Have a costume im- 
ported, 
Antl spoil it the very first night ! — 
I might make an overskirt of it, 
That shade looks so lovely with 
white. 

How horrid my eyes look ! Good 
gracious ! 
I hope that I didn't catch cold 
Sitting out on the stairs with Will 
Stacy ; 
If Ma knew that, wouldn't she 
scold ! 



MA-IINAI. MISINGS. 79. 

She savs he's so fast — well, who 
isn't?— 
Dear! where is Marie?— how it 
rains ! — 
I don't care ; he's real nice and 
handsome, 
And his talk sounds as if he'd 
some brains. 

I do wonder what /s the reason, 
That good men are all like Joe 
Price, 

So pokv, and stiff, and conceited, 
And fast ones are always so nice. 

Just see how Joe acted last even- 
ing ! 
He didn't come near me at all, 
I'.ecause I danced twice with Will 
Stacy 
That night at the Charity Ball. 

I didn't care two pins to do it; 

But Joe said I mustn't, — and so — 



8o FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

I just did — he isn't my master, 
Nor slian't be, I'd like him to 
know. 

I don't think he looked at me even, 
Though just to please him I wore 
green, — 
And I'd saved him three elegant 
dances, — 
/ wouldn't have acted so mean. 

The way he went on with Nell Had- 
ley ; 
Dear me ! just as if I would care ! 
I'd like to see those two get mar- 
ried. 
They'd make a congenial pair! 

I'm getting disgusted with par- 
ties ; — 
I think I shall stop going out ; 
What's the use of this fussing for 
people 
I don't care the least bit about. 





"he bell ! — who can that be, 

wonder! " 



82 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

I did think that Joe had some sense 
once ; 
ISut, my, he's just like all the 
men ! 
And the way that I've gone on about 
him, 
Just see if I do it again ! 

Only wait till the next time I see 
him, 
I'll pay him back; won't I be 
cool ! 
I've a good mind to drop him com- 
pletely— 
I'll — yes I will — go back to school. 

The bell ! — who can that be, I won- 
der !— 
Let's see — I declare ! why, it's 
Joe !— 
How long they are keeping him 
waiting ! 
Good gracious! why don't the 
girl go! 



iMMINAL MlSliNGS. B3 

A'es — say I'll l)e clown in a minute — 
Quick, Marie, and do up my 

Not that bow — the green one — Joe 
likes it — 
How slow you are ! — I'll pin it — 
there ! 



84 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS.' 



THE MOTHERS OF THE SI- 
RENS. 

The debutantes are in force to- 
night, 
Sweet as their roses, pure as 
truth ; 
Dreams of beauty in clouds of tulle ; 
]51ushing, fair in their guileless 
youth. 
Flashing bright glances carelessly — 
Carelessly, think you ! Wait and 
see 
How their sweetest smile is kept 
for him 
Whom "mother" considers a 
good parti. 

For the matrons watch and guard 
them well — 
Little for vouth or love care thev ; 



THE MOTHERS OF THE SIRENS. 85 

The man they seek is the man with 
gold, 







Though his heart be black, and 
his hair be gray. 
" Nellie, how coii/d you treat /liin so ! 
You know very well he is Gokl- 
more's heir." 



86 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS.'" 

"Jennie, look modest! Glance 
clown and blush, — 
Here comes Papa with young 
Millionaire." 

On a cold, gray rock, in Grecian 
seas, 
The sirens sit, and their glamour 
try— 
\Yarni white bosoms press harps of 
gold, 
The while Ulysses' shij:) sails Dv. 
Fair are the forms the sailors see, 
Sweet are the songs the sailors 
hear 
And — cool and wary, shrewd and 
old. 
The sirens' mothers are watching 
near, 

Whis]iering counsel — " Fling back 
your hair, 
It hides your shoulder." " Don't 
sins; so fast ! " 



THE MOTHI 



37 



" Daiiinu;, don't look at that fair 
young man, 
Try that old fellow there by the 
mast, 
His arms are jewelled " — let it go ! 
Too bitter all this for an idle 
rhyme ; 
But sirens are kin of the gods, be 
sure, 
And change but little with lapse 
of lime. 



FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 



LAKE MA HOPAC— SATUR- 
DAY NIGHT. 

" Yes, I'm here, I suppose you're 
delighted : 
You'd heard I was not coming 
down ! 
Why, I've been here a week ! — 
' rather early ' — 
I know, but it's horrid in town. 

A Boston ? Most certainly, thank 
you. 
This music is perfectly sweet; 
Of course I like dancing in Summer ; 
It's warm, but I don't mind the 
heat. 

The clumsy thing! Oh! how he 
hurt me ! 
I really can't dance any more — 



LAKE MAHOPAC — SATUKDAY NIGHT. 89 

Let's walk — see, they're forming a 
Lancers ; 
These square dances are such a 
bore. 

My cloak — oh ! I really don't need 
it — 
Well, carry it, — so, in the folds — 
I hate it, but Ma made nie bring it ; 
She's frightened to death about 
colds. 

This /s rather cooler than dancing. 

They're lovely piazzas up here; 
Those lanterns look sweet in the 
l)ushes, 

It's lucky the night is so clear. 

I af/i rather tired — in this corner .'' — 
Very well, if you like — I don't 
care — 
But you'll have to sit on the 
railing — 
You see there is only one chair. 



go FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

* So long since you've seen me ' — oh, 

ages !— 
Let's see, why it's ten days ago — 

* Seems years ' — oh ! of course — 

don't look spooney, 
It isn't becoming, you know. 

How bright the stars seem to-night, 
don't thev ? 
What was it you said about eyes? 
How sweet ! — why you must be a 
poet — 
One never can tell till he tries. 

Why can't you be sensible, Harry ! 
I don't like men's arms on my 
chair. 
Be still ! if you don't stop this non- 
sense 
I'll get up and leave you ; — so 
there ! 

Oh ! please don't — I don't want to 
hear it — 



LAKE MAHOl'AC — SATLKUAY NIGHT. 9I 

A boy like you talking of love. 
*My answer !' — Well, sir, you shall 
have it — 
Just wait till I get off my glove. 

See that .'' — Well, you needn't look 
tragic, 
It's only a solitaire ring, — 
Of course I am 'proud of it' — 
very — 
It's rather an elegant thing. 

Engaged! — yes — why, didn't you 
know it ? 
I tliought the news must have 
reached here — 
Why, tlie wedding w'ill be in Octo- 
ber — 
The ' happy man ' — Charley Le- 
clear. 

Now don't blame me — I tried to stop 
yon — 
But you 7iHniId go on like a goose ; 



92 FROM POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 

I'm sorry it happened — forget it — 
Don't think of it — don't — what's 

the use ? 

There's somebody coming — don't 
look so — 
Get up on the railing again — 
Cau^t you seem as if nothing had 
happened ? 
I never saw such geese as men ! 

Ah, Charley, you've found me ! A 
galop ? 
The ' Bahn frei ? ' Yes ; take my 
bouquet — 
And my fan, if you will — now I'm 
ready — 
You'll excuse me, of course, Mr. 
Gray." 




" AH, CHARLEY, YOU'VE FOUND MI 
GALOP? THE ' BAHN FREI ? ' YE 
TAKE MY BOUQUET." 



94 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS. 



AUTO-UA-FE. 

(he explains.) 

Oh, just burning up some old papers^ 
They do make a good deal o£ 
smoke : 
That's right, Dolly, open the win- 
dow; 
They'll blaze if you give them a 
poke. 
I've got a lot more in the closet ; 
Just look at the dust ! What a 
mess ! 
Why, read it, of course, if you want 
to, 
It's only a letter, I guess. 

(she reads.) 

Just me, and my pipe, and the fire- 
light. 



AUTO-DA-I'^. 



Q5 



Whose mvsticiil circles of reel 
Protect me alone with the shadows; 
The smoke-wreaths engailand my 
head ; 
And the strains of a waltz, half for- 
gotten, 
The favorite waltz of the year, 
Played softly by fairy musicians, 
Chime sweetly and low on my ear. 

The smoke-cloud floats thickly 
around me, 
All perfumed and white, till it 
seems 
A bride-veil magicians have woven 

To honor the bride of my dreams. 
Float on, dreamy waltz, through my 
• fancies. 

My thoughts in your harmony 
twine ! 
Draw near, phantom face, in your 
beauty, 
Look deep, phantom eyes, into 
mine. 



96 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

Sweet lips — crimson buds half un- 
folded— 
Give breath to the exquisite voice, 
That, waking the strands of my 
being 
To melody, bids me rejoice. 
Dream, soul, till the world's dream 
is ended ! 
Dieam, heart, of your beautiful 
past ! 
For dreaming is better than weeping, 
And all things but dreams at the 
last 

Change rules in the world of the 
waking — 
Its laughter aye ends in a sigh ; 
Dreams only are changeless — im- 
mortal : 
A love-dream alone cannot die. 
Toil, fools!'-. Sow your hopes in 
the furrows. 
Rich harvest of failiire you'll 
reap ; 



AUTO-DA-FK. 



Life's riddle is read the most truly 
By men who but talk in their 
sleep. 

(he remonstrates.) 

There, stop ! That'll do — yes, I 
own it — 
But, dear, I was young then, you 
know. 
I wrote that before we were mar- 
ried ; 
Let's see — why, it's ten years 
ago! 
You remember that night, at Drake's 
party. 
When you flirted with Dick all 
the time .'' 
I left in a state quite pathetic. 
And went home to scribble that 
rhyme. 

What a boy I was then with my 
dreaming. 

And readintr the riddle of life ! 



^ 




lUT, DEAR, I WAS YOUNG THEN, YOU 
KNOW. I WROTE THAT BEFORE 
WE WERE MARRIED." 



AlTO-UA-1-E 99- 

You gave a good guess at its mean- 
ing 
The night you said " Yes," little 
wife. 
One kiss for old times' sake, my 
Dollv— 
That didn't seem much like a 
dream. 
Holloa ! something's wrong with 
the children ! 
Those young ones do nothing but 
scream. 



too FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 



CHIVALRIE. 

Under the maple boughs we sat, 
Annie Leslie and I together; 

She was trimming her sea-side hat 
With leaves — we talked about the 
weather. 

The sunbeams lit her gleaming hair 
With rippling waves of golden 
glory, 

And e}-es of blue, and ringlets fair, 
Suggested many an ancient story 

Of fairdiaired, blue-eyed maids of 
old, 
In durance held by grim ma- 
gicians, 
Of knights in armor rough with gold, 
Who rescued them from sucli po- 
sitions. 



CHIVALRIE. 



1 



HER FAIHKR S VOICE CAME THROUGH THE 

WOOD, he'd made a fortune 

TANNING leather."' 

Above, the heavens aglow with 

light, 

Beneath our feet the sleeping 

ocean, 

E'en as the sky my hope was bright. 

Deep as the sea was my devotion. 

Her father's voice came through 
the wood, 
He'd made a fortune tanning 
leather ; 
I was his clerk; I thought it good 
To keep on talking about the 
weather. 



I02 FROM ■ POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 



PER ASPERA AD ASTRA. 

A CAXVAS-BACK duck, ravelv 

roasted, between us, 
A bottle of Chanibertin, worthy of 

praise — 
Less noble a wine at our age would 

beniean us — 
A salad of celery oi m n'o/ntaise, 
With the oysters we've eaten, fresh, 

plump, and delicious, 
Naught left of them now but a 

dream and the shells ; 
No better j<:w/d'r e'en Lucullus could 

wish us — 
AVhv, even our waiter regards us as 

swells. 

Your dress is a marvel, your jewels 

show finelv, 
Your friends in the circle all envied 

vour box ; 




WITHOUT WAITS OUR FOOTMAN TO CALL 

FOR OUR CARRIAGE— GAD HOW HE 

.MUST HATE US. OUT THERE 

Ix\ THE COLD." 



I04 FROM " POINT LACE AND DIAMONDS." 

You say Lilli Lehman sang quite 
too divinely — 
I know I can't lose on that last 
deal in stocks. 
Without waits our footman to call 
for our carriage — 
Gad, how he must hate us, out 
there in the cold ! — 
We rode in a hack on the day of our 
marriage. 
Number two forty-six — I was roll- 
ing in gold, 

For I'd quite fifty dollars ; and don't 

you remember 
We drove down to Taylor's — a 

long cherished dream ; 
How grandly I ordered — just think, 

in December ! — 
Some cake, and two plates of 

vanilla icecream. 
And how we enjoved it ! Your 

glance was the proudest 



PEU ASl'EKA AD ASIKA. I05 

Among the proud beauties, your 

face the most fair ; 
I'm ratlier afraid, too, your laugh 

was the loudest ; 
I know we shocked every one — 

we didn't care. 

Now we'd care a great deal — with 
two sons at college, 
And daughters just out, whose 
sneers make you wince ; 
We've tasted the fruit of Society's 
knowledge — 
I don't think we've quite enjoyed 
anything since. 
All through, dear .'' Now, doiPt 
wipe your mouth \\ith the doily ! 
They're really not careful at all 
with their wine ; 
It wasn't half warmed — the salad 
was oily — 
And I don't think the duck was 
remarkably fine. 



COLLECTION OF MASTER- 
PIECES. 

This Collection of certain of the most 
successful and best-loved works by vari- 
ous authors has been entered upon by its 
publishers with the intention cf making 
it as exquisite and perfect in form as 
possible. Each volume contains a large 
number of original illustrations by well- 
known artists, made especially for the 
Collection, and printed with the utmost 
care. 

The typographical details are some- 
vhat in the best modern French style, 
and the paper is of the highest grade, 
and has been manufactured especially 
for this Collection, which is issued in a 
variety of beautiful bindings, to corre- 
spond with the dainty interiors of the 
books. 

The following volumes are ready, each 
of which can be had in either of the 
bindings described: 

Masterpieces of Prose and Verse. 
" Selections from Point Lace and Dia- 
monds." Baker. Illustrated by C. 
Moore-Sinitk. 



"A Child's Dream of a Star." Dick- 
ens. Ill list rated by Elizabeth S. 
Tucker. 
" The Day Dream." Tennyson. Illus- 
trated by IV. St. John Harper. 
"Evangeline." Longfellow. Illus- 
trated by Charles Hozuard Johnson. 
" Thanatopsis." Bryant. Illustrated 

by Cor-Min Knapp Llnson. 
"Songs of Sex'en." Ingelow. Illus- 
trated by Kirk Este. 
"Violet" bindins:, with backs of can- 
vas, richly ornamented in gold, and with 
outer sides illuminated with design of 
purple violets, with gold background. 
Gilt top. In a box. 

Per volume, .... 75 cents. 
Full dull brown cloth, or full white 
cloth, with artistic ornamentation in 
gold. Gilt top. In a box. 
Per volume, .... 75 cents. 

Half calf. Gilt top. In a box. 
Per volume, .... $1.50. 

Limp calf. Red-under-gold edges. 
In a box. 

Per volume, .... $2.00. 

Other volumes in preparation. 



Specimen Pages, 

'The Day Dream. 
Tennyson. 

Collectioii of '■ J]lnsfe7-/>ieces." 




' ; <•?. li 



THE DA Y - 15 K E A M 



*0 eyes long- laid in happy 
sleep I ' 
' O happy sleep, that lightly 
fled!' 






AND O ER THEM MANY A FLOWING RAN'GE 
OF VAPOR BUOY'd THE CRESCENT-BARK." 



' O happy kiss, that woke thy 
sleep ! ' 
' O love, thy kiss would wake 
the dead ! ' 



Specimen Pages, 

"ACliild's Dream of a 
Star." Dickens. 

Collection of " MasterpiecesT 




specks play- 
ing at hide- 
and-seek in 
the sky all night, must surely 
be the children of the stars ; 
and they would all be grieved 
to see their playmates, the 
children of men, no more." 
There was one clear, 
shining star that used to 
come out in the sky before 
the rest, near the church 
spire, above the graves. 



r 



^4 



- / 



1%. 



Specimen Pages, 



Tlianatopsis/' Bry- 
ant. 

Collection of " Masterpieces.'"' 






^ 



Nor in the embrace of ocean, 
shall exist 

Thy image. Earth, that nour- 
ished thee, shall claim 

Thy growth, to be resolved to 
earth a^ain, 




■^ 



■THE SLUGGISH CLOD, WHICH THE KUDE 

SWATN TURNS WITH HIS SHAKE, AND 

TREADS fPON." 



\ ■ - 

■ 


1 




■ 4 


f 

V 
.1 


^ 


\ ^. 










i 



Specimen Pages, 

Evangeline/' Long- 
felloAV. 

Collection of " Masterpieces ' 




PATIENCE ! THE PKIEST WOULD SAY. 



34 EVANGELINE. 

Silenced, but not convinced, when the 
story was ended, the blacksmith 

Stood like a man who fain would 
speak, but tindeth no languag-e ; 

And all his thoughts congealed into lines 
on his face, as the vapors 

Freeze in fantastic shapes on the win- 
dow-panes in the winter. 

Then Evangeline lighted the brazen 
lamp on the table, 




" WROTE WITH A STEADY HAND. 



Specimen Pages, 

''Songs of Seven/' In- 
oelow. 

CollectioJi of " Masterpiecesy 




t 



BUT I LL LOVE HIM J\1(1RE, MORE THAN E ER WIFE 
LOVEn BEFORE, BE THE DAYS DARK OK BRIGHT." 



S O N C; S O [•• SEVEN. 



IV. 





A song of a 


nest : — 






There was once 


a nest 


in a 




hollow-: 






/ 


'^ 






k 


■^ 'A '"_ 


: ^ 


-^ 



c t/ . ^ 



I PRAY YOU HEAR yW SCIXG OF A NEST, 
FOR IT IS NOr LONG." 



Down in the mosses and knot- 
grass pressed, 
Soft and warm, and full to the 
brim — 






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IIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

015 785 388 



